According to a recent study, an estimated 5 million people in South Africa live in shacks. This number has been increasing at an alarming rate in recent years, due to rising poverty levels and a lack of affordable housing. Shack dwellers often live in precarious conditions, with little or no access to basic services like running water and electricity. This can have a serious impact on their health and well-being. The government has been working on a number of initiatives to try and address the problem, but more needs to be done to ensure that all South Africans have access to decent housing.
Why is there a high number of people living in shacks in South Africa?
There is no one answer to the question of how many people in South Africa live in shacks. Different sources provide different estimates, but all agree that the number is very high. One estimate puts the number of people living in shacks at over 13 million, which is about one-third of the population. Other estimates are even higher, suggesting that as many as half of all South Africans live in shacks.
The high number of people living in shacks is a reflection of the country’s high poverty rate. Over 60% of the population lives below the poverty line, and many cannot afford adequate housing. This has led to a shortage of affordable housing, and many people are forced to live in shacks.